Hope everybody is ok. We just heard the the sirens stop nearby (thistle and 46th) and walked from the kitchen to the computer knowing the Blog would already have started the thread on what’s going on. I love you guys.

Thanks. Easy in this case considering this is about two blocks away, but team member Katie caught it on the scanner even before we heard the engines screaming by and before our other backup alerts went off! – TR

Yes, it does and they do. (a) There is a standard response contingent (has been discussed here before) for everything reported as a house or other occupied building fire. Roll first, pull back when it turns out to be a kitchen fire. Saves lives. (b) If the Ladder 11 crew goes to get lunch, they take along Ladder 11. Won’t be time to get in somebody’s SUV and roll back to the firehouse in case of fire call during lunch break. It is astonishing how fast fire crews can get to life-threatening situations, whether fires or medical calls (remember, they handle the ladder too), and their policies have been developed to assure that response time. But don’t take my word for it, drop by your local firehouse sometime to ask … TR

(Common loon in winter plumage, photographed by Mark Wangerin) Lots of good cheer - and some community involvement too - in our highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar: COCOA CRIS CRINGLE: 4-8 pm photo sessions at Easy Street Records, rais...